The Education and Health Services industry group is comprised of the Education Services industry, and the Health Services and Social Assistance industry. Businesses within this industry group provide instruction and training or provide health care and social assistance to individuals.

Totals may not add due to rounding.
Data subject to revision.
Produced by the Labor Market Information Center, South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The number of workers within the Educational Services industry increased throughout 2011, expanding by 157 workers (4.7 percent). Some categories of this subsector had employment growth, which was offset by declines in others. The 2011 average number of workers within Educational Services settled at 3,476. While worker numbers steadily increased, average annual pay decreased $691 (2.3 percent) for a 2011 annual average of $29,657.

The Educational Services sector comprises establishments that provide instruction and training in a wide assortment of subjects. This instruction and training is provided by specialized establishments, such as schools, colleges, universities, and training centers. These establishments may be privately owned and operated for profit or not for profit, or they may be publicly owned and operated. They may also offer food and accommodation services to their students.

Educational services are usually delivered by teachers or instructors who explain, demonstrate, supervise and direct learning. Instruction is communicated in diverse settings, such as educational institutions, the workplace or the home through correspondence, television, the Internet or other electronic and distance-learning methods. All industries in the sector share this commonality of process, namely labor inputs of instructors with the requisite subject matter expertise and teaching ability.

The Educational Services industry has one subsector, which is also entitled Educational Services (NAICS 611). The level and structure of training can vary depending on its purpose. For instance, it can be formal, such as that provided by secondary schools, colleges, universities and professional schools. These institutions correspond to a recognized series of formal levels of education designated by diplomas, associate degrees and bachelors and higher degrees. Less formal venues include seminars, sport camps or a specific computer software package. Establishments offering this type of training may grant certificates or licenses.

Establishments that manage schools and other educational establishments on a contractual basis are classified in this subsector if they both manage the operation and provide the operating staff. Such establishments are classified in the educational services subsector based on the type of facility managed and operated.

Worker growth in this industry resulted from the continuing emphasis on improving and increasing the education of our population in general, as well as those currently employed but in need of improving their skills. Colleges, universities and professional schools were responsible for some of the growth in worker levels. Other schools and instruction providers, such as sports and recreation instruction and standardization examination services, experienced growth in the number of workers. Elementary and secondary schools experienced worker growth throughout 2011, expanding due to population growth in some areas.

Education is important, as the amount and type of education individuals receive is shown to have a major influence on both the types of jobs obtained and corresponding earnings. Lifelong learning is important in acquiring new knowledge and upgrading skills, particularly in this age of rapid technological and economic changes. The educational services industry includes a variety of institutions that offer academic education, career and technical instruction, and other education and training to millions of students each year.

Employment in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector continued to climb. This is not unexpected with the greying of America, including the large baby boomer generation. This industry is comprised of Ambulatory Health Care Services, Hospitals, Nursing and Residential Care Facilities, and Social Assistance programs.

From 2010 to 2011 there were 60 establishments added for a total of 2,445. This industry added 743 workers in 2011 (1.3 percent). The annual pay went from $40,288 in 2010 to $41,751 in 2011 (3.6 percent). During 2011 the largest growth in establishments was in Ambulatory Health Care Services (NAICS 621), which saw an increase of 31 establishments. Nursing and Residential Care Facilities and Social Assistance added 17 and 12 establishments, respectively. The Ambulatory Health Care Services (NAICS 621) subsector employment level in 2010 was 14,585, rising by 189 workers in 2011 to 14,774. The workers in this industry did achieve the second largest increase ($1,889) in annual wages, from $60,547 in 2010 to $62,436 in 2011 (3.1 percent).

The Hospitals (NAICS 622) subsector worker level increased from 20,935 in 2010 to 21,563 in 2011, an increase of 628 workers (3.0 percent). This is the largest worker increase in this industry but really reflects a transfer of workers from the Ambulatory Health Care Service subsector (NAICS 621) due to an industry reclassification.

The Nursing and Residential Care Facilities subsector (NAICS 623) continued the trend we saw in 2010 of adding new establishments, going from 366 establishments in 2010 to 383 in 2011; however, the worker level decreased. In 2010 workers in this subsector earned $22,572 annually, and in 2011 annual wages were $23,152 (a 2.6 percent increase).

The Social Assistance (NAICS 624) subsector added 12 establishments in 2011 compared to 15 added in 2010. The increase of 27 workers over the year seems to show that either the new establishments were small or that larger establishments trimmed employment levels.